What’s the 4-1-1?
After 10 studio albums and 72 band member changes, Canadian thrash metallers Annihilator return with there 11th studio album. This one promises to stay true to their early thrash days.
Genre
Heavy metal / thrash / hard rock
The Good
The Beast is unleashed on “Maximum Satan.” Dave Padden’s doubled-up, echoed vocals mixed with Jeff Waters’ dark and heavy riffs help make for one evil track. “Drive” barrels along like a race car burning down the track. The drum work is so frantic that one has to wonder how many heads were damaged. “Plasma Zombies” takes a social stance on how young kids today are hypnotized by video games and how images on television may influence their lives. It’s set to a backdrop of monster riffs and powerful vocals. Annihilator continues to express their social views on “Like Father, Like Gun.” The rhythms fire off in typical thrash metal style, with shaded of classic Pantera thrown in.
I would actually classify “Clare” as a dark and ominous ballad. The track leans a lot on softer tones as it builds to a distorted release during the chorus. Three bonus tracks are thrown in on this release; all are rare demo or unreleased recordings. You can hear contrasting vocal styles on “Weapon X” and “I Am Command,” but both stay true to Annihilator’s early days. There’s also a song called “Annihilator” that was taken from a Canadian radio premier sometime in the eighties. What metal band didn’t have a song titles after them back then?
The Bad
Nothing notable
The Verdict
Annihilator deliver the goods with a thrash metal album that would go down as historic, if this were 1985. Schizo Deluxe is sure to please the band’s European and Japanese faithful, but how it plays out in the U.S. will probably be worse than it deserves. It hard, it’s heavy, and it’s metal!
Did You Know?
Annihilator was founded in 1984 by guitarist and chief songwriter Jeff Waters.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Originally posted by author at Rock-Is-Life.com
Article comments
1 - Triniman
For whatever reason, these guys never became big in Canada. I don't think they toured much, probably prefering to tour the much larger US market.
I have their first two albums, which I thought were all right but nothing really special. I haven't heard anything by them since.
2 - Guppusmaximus
Are you kidding?? This album sounds nothing like their epic masterpiece "Alice in Hell".
"You can hear contrasting vocal styles on "Weapon X" and "I Am Command," but both stay true to Annihilator's early days...."
What early days are you talking about?? These guys haven't released anything with any merit since "Alice in Hell"But, that's the problem nowadays...All this shitty nu-metal has gone to everyone's head. This album is garbage and with this review you are misinforming people about the mid 80's because this type of shit would've been laughed at back then...
3 - Guppusmaximus
BTW.. it's 13 releases not 10
4 - George Dionnw
First off, according to their press material and Jeff Waters himself (whom I interviewed last month), this IS their 11th studio album. Studio album means you don't count live, greatest hits, and EPs. I'm surprised you didn't jump all over me for the 72 band members...that was a blatant exaggeration.
Second, I didn't say it was better than Alice in Hell, I also didn't mean historic in comparision to other metal acts of the time. I meant it would have been historic for Annihilator. Let's face it, Alice in Hell was moderately successful. If they followed it with this, it would have had some legs, but ceratinly not be the greatest album in metal.
Third, those tracks are reminisant of their early days because they're demos from before their first album. How could they sound any earlier or later?
Fourth, you can get into samantics about what 80s metal sounded like because you can break it down into so many genres. Schizo Deluxe indictive of Annhilator's 80s sound, except for the fact it's with a different singer, and recording technology is more advanced.
5 - Guppusmaximus
1st off you are correct, I jumped the gun about the "Studio" releases...I apologize.
2nd If this album did come out after "Alice.." it wouldn't have shown any attempt to keep their sound! Album sales aren't an accurate factor of any kind when dealing with alot of the pioneering sounds that came from the 80's.. My point was that if they came out with "Schizo Deluxe" back then it wouldn't have left a mark unless it was done with the original line-up and what you hear is the release for back then because these new songs obviously weren't good enough.
3rd... I didn't read it anywhere that those songs were their first demos so you have more knowledge than I but obviously they weren't put on an album for a reason(see 2)...I personally think it's because they suck.
4th. Your article is mostly based on semantics so why can't I go there? You use words like "Typical","Thrash" which I feel are a false representation and you constantly refer to an era that I don't believe you had anything to do with... Sure there were many genres of metal back then but they were easier to seperate and I could definately tell when a band had the talent just like today. Recording technology today unfortunately benefits alot of bands that shouldn't be producing any CDs(if they want to be taken seriously). It's Cookie-cutter metal!! The only way that it is more advanced is that it allows mistakes to be fixed with ease which in my opinion causes it to sound more processed. Mainly digital recording was brought about to cure "Generational Loss"..Anyways.. My point??You can still record pretty much the same way as in the 80's but you still need a band with talent along with GREAT songwriting which Annihilator hasn't displayed (in my opinion) since the 80's.
Finally, I disagree,again,This stuff doesn't sound like a technological translation of their old stuff. There is no real work done here... The guitars are down tuned and boring. The drumming reminds me of everyone from Fear Factory(Which I think they have copied vastly) to crap like Disturbed. The vocals are mediocre so I don't bother reading into what he is singing about.
6 - George Dionne
I appreciate your opinion. I like sprited debates. I have to disagree that this sounds like the nu-metal of today. Absoultely nothing like it. I'll give you that it's not exactly a great attempt at recreating the past, but compared to Annihilator's past material, it's right in line. Not exactly, but certainly not like their ninties "sell-out" period.
I think you're letting your affections for specific thrash metal bands and your hatred of today's nu metal cloud your view of this Annihilator album. No it's not on the same level as early Metallica, early Slayer, or early Vio-lence, but it's certainly on the same level as Annhilator's past work.
It's not exactly an 80's thrash metal fans first choice, but it's going to be enjoyed by Annihilator fans. Isn't that the band's goal anyway? I'm not saying Annihilator is a perfect example of 80s thrash metal either, but that specific song "Like Father, Like Gun" does have SHADES of classic thrash metal. That's what's stated in the review.
I also give you the demo things, I learned where they came from after the review. Sorry.
7 - George Dionne
Whoops, I meant "Like Father, Like Gun" is in the typical thrash metal style, with SHADES of Pantera. And it is.
8 - Guppusmaximus
Well, I guess it depends on your idea of nu-metal because this definately sounds like 90% of what's on Headbangers Ball(another disgrace).You can totally compare this release to Fear Factory's new album
This is my opinion...that's what it is.It is based on my "Hatred" because I have listened to so much of this new "Typical" sound that it makes me gag! It's also based on the fact that I have played music for 20 years so I may be alittle more passionate. Anyways, I will agree to disagree because I cannot force someone to share my view nor do I want to...But I can tell you this, All of these bands releasing this garbage now won't be remembered in 10 years unlike the Classic bands that you have mentioned(It's easy to pull those out of your hat)...Why?? Because they aren't pioneering a single thing and they lack the passion. You can slate these bands right along with the "Boy" bands and that pisses me off because I am a Metal Head!!
-Peace!!
9 - George Dionne
I share you opinion on Fear Factory and bands like them. And I agree that ten years from now no one will remember them.
But let me pose this question to you; ten years from now do you think that people will remember Metallica's St. Anger, Slayer's God Hates Us All, Megadeth's The System Has Failed, and Anthrax's We've Come for You All? Nope. Mind you I picked albums from bands that fall into the eighties metal scene and who's new albums are supposed to recall there early sound.
They won't be remembered because that sound is over and done with. It's a sad thing to think about, but the reality is, music changes and it never goes backward. Only people like me and you are still buying it. Some kids today find them, but not through those albums.
I believe that opinions of music is generational. Whatever you grew up with was the best, no exception. For you & me it was the eighties metal scene. For our parents it was Elvis. For our kids it will be Good Charlotte and Linkin Park. Do you think the fifties sound is ever coming back?
Since I've been reviewing CDs, I've tried to avoid letting my biases get in the way. Believe it or not there is a lot of great music out there that isn't exactly my favorite genre. I look at music from the point of view of someone that enjoys that particular style. Sometimes I find stuff that I hated in the past. You have to give some things a chance.
I too play and write music, although I've been doing it for half as long as you. I am very passionate about music, but at the same time feel I need to expand my pallet, because the good old days are not coming back.
This discussion was both informative and fun. I look forward to you disecting my future reviews. Kidding!
10 - Guppusmaximus
Sure... Whatever man... Never have a true opinion because all music made even music by amateurs on a trendy label has some merit?!? HA!! Spare me...I'm not biased to new music, I just don't buy all the shit that people review as being worth it and I don't care for your patronizing.. Because I have been into the Metal scene since '82, I have a tendency to believe my own ear! There are a ton of great bands old & new that capture the early metal as well as progress with Brutality,like:
Opeth
Iced Earth
Demons & Wizards
Strapping Young Lad
Dimmu Borgir
Symphony X
These bands have brought forth new & interesting work.I have always progressed my tastes in music and I am always hunting for something that stands out, so, NEW doesn't bother me.Just the constant shit that is being released here in America and then to read a review about something like it's worth the time of day ...Actually I have always been invigorated by other styles but even in those genres there is good and bad.
Hmm..Elvis... He may have never wrote a tune but his voice was pure f*cking brilliance, that's why the 50's won't make it back because shitty pop took it's place. No one in POP will ever sing like that man did..F*ck noone in Rock can sing like that man did!!
As for music never going backwards...Music takes influences from everything and it's a shame that we burn bridges in this country for the good ol dollar because Elvis' music has stood the test of time...Music always goes back!!
As long as you keep reviewing bands that I know about I will always have a scalpel in hand...Kidding!
11 - Guppusmaximus
BTW...Elvis' huge influence was Gospel and Opera, so he was ahead of his time...
12 - George Dionne
Elvis' voice was FN brilliance? Are you kidding me? Elvis was a great performer and one of the best entertainers of all-time, but his vocals were decent at best. Elvis was all about image and charisma, which he had a lot of. His voice however, had no range. I haven't heard every song Elvis ever made, but I honestly can't remember him really belting one out.
"No one in Rock can sing like that man did." This is true, but many can sing better. A lot of the AOR rock singers from the 70s/80s have better range an inflection; Dennis DeYoung of Styx & Steve Perry of Journey come to mind. As far as pop singers go, I think that Josh Groban kid has a better voice and range than Elvis.
It's true that musicians draw from influences of the past, but it's never the same sound in the end. They make it into something new...hence not going backwards. That's all I meant.
13 - Guppusmaximus
Now I know you lack credibility...I don't think you have heard much in the realm of Elvis and if you count how many songs he has sung then Mr. DeYoung hasn't got shit on him...Ha,Ha...Dennis DeYoung,lol...You mention him when you speak of range??What.."Come sail Away"?? Steve Perry had some good high range vocals but he couldn't touch Elvis in the Gospel Arena. I like Steve Perry just as much as the next person but he had a short lived career. I guess in your opinion, Styx and Journey were Metal too,huh?? Oh, I checked out your site... It's nice if your a budding journalist, ya know, kiss all the asses in the music industry but I think you should stay away from reviewing metal. You really don't have a clue...I mean reviews of KORN,etc...?? LOL
This is the first time I have insulted somebody on BC... You're a JACKASS!! The only education about music is what the mainstream has fed you...
Piss Off Idiot!! LOL...Dennis DeYoung...*Smirk*
14 - Guppusmaximus
I think you should speak with Chris Beaumont,He is BC's Resident Metal Conniseur....
LOL...Dennis DeYoung...lol
15 - George Dionne
So you visted the site huh? Did you realize that Korn review was negative? I don't pick and choose at the site, I review what's sent by the labels or PR companies. The majority of material reviewed is by independent or small label artist. Rock is Life is a businesss.
A budding journalist, hardly. I've been doing this for a while. I don't have to kiss ass, and I've given negative reviews to plenty of material.
In the interest of fairness and equal time, I will cover any artist that want coverage, and will not compromise my opinon. Just because I don't like them, doesn't mean that someone else might.
I'm not trying to cater to an audience that likes only what I like, I'm trying to cater to a variety of rock music fans.
Though you're assement of my website & your choice to insult me does speak volumes to me that you have yet to grow up.
Here we had a nice little debate going back and forth (much like a good rock fued) and you had to resort to name calling. That's a shame.
16 - George Dionne
Re; Dennis DeYoung---You said Elvis had the best voice in rock, not metal. There are plenty of metal artist that have better voices; Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Jeff Tate, and Russell Allen come to mind.
17 - Teutates
Stonewall still rules!
18 - Dave C.
Hi there,
You happened to write this review on Jeff Waters' 40th birthday. I'm surprised you didn't mention that.
19 - Marco
I muss admit that i did not read all the posts...sorry... i am a busy man =P
ok...i lost track of annihilator after Never Neverland...and being raised in the late 80´s thrash.... just imagine the expression in my face while looking at a video of the new CD by annihilator (it was in youtube or in Roadrunner´s site..cant remember..)
my first thought was...what is this crap?????!!!!
i even go to the previos page, and refresh it to be sure it was not one of those zillon of american bands, with distorted gay guitars and a vocalist trying to sound cool !!!!!
but noo..i could finally recognize mr. Waters playing (?) his guitar
it has really nothing to do with the early sound of annihilator!!!!!..... i probably would not care of their change in shift if it was well done...but no...they just sound (or pretend to sound) more modern, but with no imagination at composing melodies or structures.....
really, really dissapointing....
lets go and buy the new CD´s by Exodus or Death Angel!!!